Friday, December 14, 2012

Des Moines, IA – Iowa Pride
Network (IPN) is applauding the University of Iowa for becoming the first public
university to ask incoming students about their gender identity and sexual
orientation.

“This is a huge step for the
University and an important one for prospective LGBTQ students,” stated Ryan
Roemerman, IPN executive director. “How colleges portray LGBTQ students in
college admission materials sends a clear signal to LGBTQ students about how
the university views them and their role in the institutional fabric.”

University of Iowa admissions wants to
identify LGBTQ students and connect them to campus resources such as the U of I student
group, GLBTAU (Gay, Lesbian Bisexual, Transgender and Allied Union—the longest,
continually funded LGBT student group in the nation).

Helping LGBTQ young people access such
resources is important, as seen in the IPN’s College Climate Survey of LGBTQ
students. In the survey, the majority of students (84.4%) reported attending
campus LGBT group meetings with 56% reporting that they attend the meetings
often or always, indicating how important these groups are for LGBTQ students.

A key recommendation from the Iowa College
Climate Survey states that colleges and universities, “marketing and
recruitment materials need to include LGBTQ students and reflect them in
admission materials and other important documents.”

“What the University of Iowa is doing is
providing a coordinated framework to provide support and resources to a
population of students that are often overlooked. We applaud the
University of Iowa for taking this step and hope that other colleges and
universities follow their lead,” stated Roemerman.

About Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Pride Network empowers students to fight homophobia and transphobia in
high schools and colleges by supporting gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs and
providing leadership opportunities and organizing projects centered on social
justice. For more information call Iowa Pride Network at 515-471-8062 or visitwww.iowapridenetwork.org